The lawyer representing one of the complainants in the Geert Wilders trial, Henri Sarolea, has lodged an objection with the court about the behaviour of the Public Prosecutor's Office. Speaking in reaction to a media report, he commented: "The public prosecutor cannot take the position that Mr Wilders is not liable to punishment."

He is demanding that the court reprimand the Public Prosecutor's Office. It was reported in November that several so-called "injured parties" were considering demanding different prosecutors for the case.

Initially the Public Prosecutor's Office declined to prosecute Mr Wilders for his anti-Islamic statements. When a number of minority organisations complained, the court supported them and ordered the Public Prosecutor's Office to prepare a case. During the trial last year the prosecutors called for acquittal, following a challenge by the defence which resulted in the judges being replaced.

The trial will be resumed on Monday with the same prosecution team.

(imm/hs)

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